Rapid Reaction: Blackhawks 5, Kings 2

Scott Powers is the Blackhawks beat reporter for ESPNChicago.com. He is an award-winning journalist and has been reporting on preps, colleges and pros for publications throughout the Midwest since 1997.

How it happened: After 30 minutes of endless cheers by Kings fans while their team commemorated last season’s Stanley Cup, the Blackhawks quickly silenced the building in the first period. Patrick Kane quieted them first with a one-timer for a power-play goal at 3:41. Marian Hossa followed with a goal at 12:57. Just over a minute later, the Blackhawks lit the lamp for a third consecutive time as Michael Frolik scored. The Blackhawks were skating comfortably with a 3-0 advantage when there were five-plus minutes remaining in the first period. The Kings wouldn’t threaten them the rest of the way. Jonathan Toews added a second-period goal to put the Blackhawks ahead 4-0 before the Kings finally answered with their first goal. Hossa added his second goal in the third period.

Player of the game: Hossa has been saying he’s felt just fine after missing the end of last season with a head injury. On Saturday, he showed it. Hossa looked like his old self, scoring two goals and dishing out an assist on Kane’s goal.

What it means: The Blackhawks' season opener couldn’t have gone much better. They scored on the power play. They killed off penalties. Kane, Hossa and Toews all scored. Goalie Corey Crawford was solid. Plus, they ruined the Kings’ banner-raising celebration just as the Detroit Red Wings did to the Blackhawks back in 2010.

What’s next: The Blackhawks don’t have much time to celebrate their victory. They’re off to Phoenix to face the Coyotes on Sunday night. It’s the first of 12 back-to-backs for the Blackhawks this season. The Coyotes ended the Blackhawks' season in the first round of the playoffs last season.